|
|
Dave Saari’s new golf murder mystery ends at St. Urho’s golf course in Nolalu, Ontario. While driving to the Thunder Bay Country Club, I saw a sign on Highway 61 advertising that course to the northwest.
After a pleasant 18 holes with retired dentist Gary Post at the 9-hole CC, I mentioned the St. Urho sign. Gary and his friend described it as a country course and “someone’s dream.” Now I had to go.
St. Urho’s is 44 minutes west/southwest of Thunder Bay off Route 588, beyond Stanley, Ontario. Gary and his friend also said the best burger in Ontario was at the Stanley Tavern/Hotel. Friendly barkeep as well.
Eighteen minutes on a good two-lane brought me to St. Urho’s although the only way you know you are there is a sign that includes “Golf ” along with “Groceries, Gifts, Lottery Center, Gas and Diesel, Auto & Tire Repair, and Construction Services.” There is also a small restaurant to go along the single gas pump. The sign over the entrance says, “Everything.” That is downtown Nolalu. I see an internet ad for a resort nearby.
The four “Gs” are anyone could wish for, and they are all on this Ontario sign: Groceries, gas, golf and gifts. Photo courtesy of Stephen Aldrich
The store/pro shop is a quirky place with nice people who have never been on the course and who subtly discourage my trip due south on Route 593. “Not many people there.” Boy, were they right. The road alternates between 30 and 90 km/hour and has as many ups and downs and curves as any road outside of the Rockies. I bet it is spectacular for fall leaf touring.
Before putting in 3-plus liters of gas to insure I didn’t have to stop among the few people, I looked over the course. Cart likely not needed as I saw only flatness for its 5-6,000 yards played from three sets of tees. No slope or rating are shown on the card. Caveat: It has more trouble than the flat first hole suggests.
I could hardly wait to go with my Finnishest golfing friend Saari to play the course, perhaps with Gary Post and his Finnish Judge friend, and we did in 2019. I do not recall the scores….
I enjoyed Albatross by Dave Saari, even those pages where my name does not appear. Objectivity would be required for a book review, so this is not one. And because the story is about 200 pages long, it is not heavy to carry.
What will delight “Wondering 61” denizens is that the story rockets up and down Highway 61 from Duluth to Thunder Bay. There are murders in both countries, it looks back at the prior story, Dog Leg Left, and jurisdictional and personal conflicts fill the story.
We will all be glad to read his inclusion of and comments on local businesses, even defunct ones. Visit Cook County will want this book on its shelves because it celebrates life here in all of its facets except sled-dogging and skiing. There is even a helpful map of our County Seat, but do not rely on the map to find the Art Colony. Nearly every business in Grand Marais is mentioned, but I regret the omission of South of the Border restaurant.
My sense is this is the most autobiographically based novel he has written. Of course, as the mystery writer, he is a kind of unlicensed private investigator, and Trey’s reactions to his golf shots and scores are remarkably similar to his.
Both Gunflint Hills and St. Urho’s, as well as Superior National should be delighted to have some of this book and its predecessors on their shelves. If we go back to St. Urho’s, I can test my new electric golf trolley, finally!
Steve Aldrich is a retired Hennepin County lawyer, mediator, and Judge, serving from 1997-2010. He and his wife moved here in 2016. He likes to remember that he was a Minnesota Super Lawyer before being elected to the bench. Now he is among the most vulnerable to viruses. Steve really enjoys doing weddings, the one thing a retired judge can do without appointment by the Chief Justice.
Copyright Stephen C. Aldrich and News Herald, 2022
-30-
Leave a Reply